Originally Posted By: Byron Dickens
Well, the post I was referring to in my first paragraph about the books his vanished.


No. I removed it just after posting. After reviewing my recommendation of a way to simplify the mixing process, I was thinking it was a bit too strong for general acceptance from this thread. Sure enough, it was.

However, other than the nonsense to burn Peter McIan's books, Mr. Dickens remarks are substantially correct. The multi track recording and mixing principles in these books aren't outdated or obsolete regardless that the books were published in 1993 and 1996 respectively. Both are still in print today and can be purchased new according to the Amazon web page.

Cookie cutter recipes in those books are starting points, not Grammy award winning templates. I agree that it's unlikely a 100 Hz boost on every instrument was not standard procedure on Mr. McIan's two albums he produced for Men at Work, or for the recordings of his two original songs recorded by Barbara Streisand and Pat Benatar. More likely it was an issue of a design deficiency in the hardware circuitry from that time period. I haven't looked to see why, it's irrelevant to the point. What was stated that's relevant, is that those cookie cutter recipes may or may not work in the beginning. That is exactly the point of the initial post. There's at least a 50% chance the mix will sound good but it's also a simple and easy fix if the mix needs tweaking. Physically turn knobs with a limited amount of quality EQ and effects, not deal with thousands of choices found in software. Software is available if it's needed.

Rather than "practice, practice, practice" or delve hours, days and weeks into college level textbooks that have been recommended, simplify and use a hardware device where mixing revolves mostly around 3 eq knobs and a fader. If that 100hz boost isn't sounding right, turn that knob down until the mud goes away. Mixers or stand alone digital multi track recorders and also the newer hybrid hard disk recorder/mixer combos are readily available and can be very affordable purchased used.

There was also a link in that deleted post to an article listing 10 mainstream, songs or albums released in the early 90's that were commercial hits by Bruce Springsteen, Seal, and Lou Reed, among others. What's notable is that all were recorded on Tascam Cassette Portastudio's.

Yes, there are sections in these books that the reader can disregard about hardware wow and flutter, maybe a 100hz boost in EQ, but all of the recording and mixing principles, recipes and techniques are still relevant today and would simplify the mixing process for any user.

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